Elephant Butte is the largest lake in New Mexico and is one of the best places to beat the summer heat.

Elephant Butte is the largest lake in New Mexico and is one of the best places to beat the summer heat.

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Updated: 12:47 PM MDT Jul 25, 2016

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WEBVTT EVERY SUMMER >> THERE'S SO MUCH WATER AND SO MUCH BEACH. PEOPLE DRIVE IN FROM ALL OVER THE STATE TO ENJOY THE LAKE LIFESTYLE AT ELEPHANT BUTTE LAKE STATE PARK. THE BEACHES ARE PACKED, IT'S CRAZY. >> THE LARGEST LAKE IN NEW MEXICO IT'S SIMPLY THE BEST PLACE TO BEAT THE SUMMER HEAT. ON HOLIDAY WEEKENDS, THIS LAKE CAN INSTANTLY BECOME ONE OF THE LARGEST CITIES IN THE STAT AND BEING A STATE PARK, IT'S A COMPLETE EXPERIENCE IF YOU ALSO WANT TO SPEND SOME TIME OFF THE WATE >> THERE ARE SO MANY BIKING TRAILS AND THOSE TYPES OF THINGS. >> BUT HERE IN THE DESERT, THE MAIN DRAW TO THIS STATE PARK IS THE ABUNDANT AQUA. THIS LAKE EXISTS FOR IRRIGATION MAINLY IN TEXAS AND THEIR FARMERS DEPEND ON IT TO GROW CROPS. WHEN THE DAM FINISHED CONSTRUCTION BACK IN 1916 100 YEARS AGO, IT WAS THE SECOND LARGEST IRRIGATION DAM IN THE WORL THE LITTLE TOWNS OF ELEPHANT BUTTE AND TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES DEPEND ON THIS LAKE FOR THEIR LIVELIHOOD. MANY BUSINESSES, LIKE STEVE'S BURGER BARGE, ARE CONNECTED TO THE LAKE LEVEL AND THE WEATHER, WHICH CAN REALLY AFFECT HOW MANY PEOPLE COME TO CAMP AND BOAT >> THE ECONOMIC WELL-BEING OF THE COUNTY IS BASED A LOT ON THE LAKE VISITATION. AS THE WATER GOES DOWN, PEOPLE DON'T COME AS MUCH. THE LITTLE HOMES AND CABINS ON THE SHORELINE AND HOUSEBOATS ON THE WATER ARE PROOF THAT TIME AT THE LAKE IS ONE OF THE MOST ENJOYABLE THINGS YOU CAN DO IN THE SUMMER SEASON, SO BE SURE TO PUT THE ELEPHANT BUTTE LAKE STATE PARK ON YOUR SUMMER ROAD

Elephant Butte

Elephant Butte is the largest lake in New Mexico and is one of the best places to beat the summer heat.